Sheet distributor



Dec. 1, 1953 D. c. M GALLIARD SHEET DISTRIBUTOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJune 18, 1949 i l rL nn 1 A F l a o en oc o L 20 INVENTOR.

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SHEET DISTRIBUTOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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Patented Dec. 1, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHEET DISTRIBUTOR.

David 0. McGalliard, Short Hills, N. J.

Application June 18, 1949, Serial No. 100,033

11 Claims. (01. 271-64) The present invention relates to sheet materialassociating devices and, more particularly, to improvements in sheetdistributors.

The present invention is primarily concerned with sheet distributors forarranging a plurality of sets of sheets which are thereafter fastenedtogether to provide pamphlets, brochures, booklets, or the like.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a sheetdistributor which is adapted to arrange a large number of sets of sheetsor the like, for example fifty, one hundred, or even more sets, and yetis relatively simple in construction.

Another object is to provide such a sheet distributor wherein the sheetsare handled in a manner to eliminate errors in arranging the sets.

Another object is to provide a sheet distributor which is extremelyrapid in operation.

Another object is to provide a sheet distributor wherein improvedautomatic means control the operation thereof sequentially in astep-by-step manner.

Another object is to provide a sheet distributor wherein the reboundingof sheets in the compartments and resultant interference in the controlcircuit is prevented while they are being arranged in sets.

Another object is to provide a sheet distributor which facilitatesfastening the sheets together after being arranged in sets.

A further object is to provide a sheet distributor which facilitatesremoval of the sets of sheets therefrom.

Other and further objects will be obvious upon an understanding of theillustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated inthe appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein willoccur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention inpractice.

In accordance with the invention, the foregoing objects are accomplishedby providing a sheet distributor generally comprising compartments forcollecting sheets, means for delivering sheets to the compartments, gatemeans for each of the compartments operable to direct sheets from thedelivering means into the compartments and to prevent the entry ofsheets into the compartments, means responsive to the entry of sheetsinto the compartments, and means under the control of the last mentionedmeans for moving the gate means from a sheet directing position to anentry preventing position.

of inclined trays positioned one above another and having alignedopenings through which a beam of light is directed from a source to aphotoelectric cell. Interruption of the beam by sheets being depositedin the trays deenergizes a solenoid circuit which solenoid upon beingreenergized drives a chain or the like step-by-step, the chain havingelements thereon for effecting positioning of the gate means. Thedelivering means are in the form of a belt conveyor adjacent theentrances of the trays and the gate means are constructed and arrangedto positively direct sheets from the conveyor to the entrances.

Rebounding of the sheet is prevented by means which permit the sheets tobe deposited in the trays but prevent movement of the sheets backwardstowards the tray entrances. Fastening of the sheets together in sets isfacilitated by openings in the trays permitting access to edge portionsof the sheets, and removal of the sheets in sets from the trays isfacilitated by hinged retaining members.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes ofillustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings,forming a part of the specification, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view illustrating alt sheet distributorin accordance with the invenion;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top view illustrating means for feeding sheetsfrom a stack of sheets;

Figure 3 is a stepped sectional view taken substantially along the line33 on Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the sheet delivering meanstaken along the line 4-4 on Figure 2 but also illustrating the sheetcoilficting trays and the gates associated there- W1 Figure 5 is asectional view taken along the line 5-5 on Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line86 on Figure 4 illustrating the gates and their operating means;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line l-l onFigure 6 illustrating details of the gate operating means;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 on Figure '7;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 99 on Figure 8illustrating the operation of the gates;

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along the line [0-10 on Figure 6illustrating the gates in Preferably, the compartments are in the form56 relation to the sheet delivering means;

Figure 11 is a top view of the chain and belt driving means, includingthe light source for the photoelectric cell, as seen along the linell-ll on Figure 1;

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view of a simplified electrical circuit forcontrolling the sheet distributor.

Referring to the drawings in detail and more particularly to Figure 1,there is shown a sheet distributor which generally comprises a base 20,an upright frame 2| mounted on the base, a platform 22 at the upper endof the frame for supporting a stack of sheets or the like, a pluralityof sheet collecting trays 24 supported by p the frame between the baseand theplatform, each having a gate 25 (Fig. 4) associated there'- with,conveyor means 26 cooperating withthe gates for delivering sheets to thetrays, mechanism 21 for feeding sheets from the stack to the conveyormeans, means for operating the gates including a belt or chain 29, adrive unit 30 on the base for the chain and the conveyor means, andmeans including a drive connection 3| under the control of aphotoelectric cell 32 and light source 36. for intermittently renderingthe drive unit 30 effective to operate the chain. These elements will bedescribed in detail in the sections about to follow:

Sheet feeding mechanism The sheet feeding mechanism, illustrated inFigures 1, 2, and 3, is constructed and arranged to push the uppermostsheets of a stack 35 of sheets into position to be carried away by theconveyor means 25. As shown, such mechanism comprises a motor 36(Figure 1) mounted on the frame 2| adjacent the upper end thereof, aneccentric 31 (Figure 3) mounted on the platform 22 driven by the motorthrough a belt 39, a head 40 movably mounted on the platform andreciprocated by the eccentric, a gear l rotatably mounted on the headmeshing with a stationarygear rack 42, a slidably mounted gear rackreciprocated by the gear, as it moves across the stationary rack, andsheet engaging rollers 45 carried by a support 46 pivotally mounted onan arm secured to the slidable rack at 43. The sheet engaging rollers 45are constructed and arranged to rotate during the backward or returnstroke and to be rigid duringthe forward or sheet moving stroke.

Sheet conveyor The sheet conveyor means 26 are illustrated in Figures 1,2, 3, and 4 as comprising a plurality of spaced fiat belts 50, six beingshown, and a pulley 5| mounted on a shaft 52 journalled adjacent theforward end of the stack 35 and a similar pulley mounted on a shaft 54journalled on the frame adjacent the base 20 (Figure 1), the beltsextending over the pulleys and providing two sets of six verticalstrands, one set of which is adjacent the trays for a purpose to bedescribed hereinafter.

To facilitate cooperation with the sheet feeding mechanism, a pivotallysupported idler roll 55 (Figures 2, 3, and 4) rests on the belts abovethe upper pulley 51 and a vertical guide plate 56 with an inclined upperend 5! shrouds the roll, whereby the sheets are fed between the roll andbelts (Figure 3) and are moved between the belts and the guide plate andpropelled downwardly'for delivery to the trays and compartments.

4 Sheet collecting trays The sheet collecting trays 24, as illustratedin Figures 1, 4, and 5, are supported in inclined position between theupright frame 2| with the upper ends thereof adjacent one set of strandsof the conveyor belts 50. Any suitable number of trays may be provided,for example fifty-one, one hundred and one or more, although only someof these trays are shown for purposes of illustration. The odd tray isprovided as a cover over tray number I into which the first sheet isdeposited.

The trays comprise a rectangular bottom 60 (Figure 5), side walls 6|,and spaced members S Z hinged at the lower ends of the trays, whichmembers are urged into upright position by springs 63 for retaining thesheets in the trays. The hinged members 62 are also adapted to be swungreadily into substantially the plane of the bottoms to facilitateremoval of sheets from the trays. v v

The bottoms 60 of the trays are formed with cutaway portions or openings64 adjacent the lower edges thereof to facilitate stapling or otherwisefastening the sheets together prior to removal from the trays.Preferably, these openings are provided intermediate the hinged member52 to render portions of the sheets accessible for stapling withoutdisturbing the hinged members 62; or the openings 64 may be formedadjacent the right and/or left edges, as viewed in Figure 5, to enablethe sheets to be stapled at the corners instead of centers.

In order to prevent the sheets from rebounding upon contacting thehinged members and moving backwards towards the upper ends of the trays,each tray is provided with sheet retaining means adjacent but spacedfrom the upper end thereof. These means, as shown, comprise a pair ofspaced. tabs or fingers projecting upwardly from the tray bottom in adirection from the upper to the lower end of the tray over which thesheets are adapted to pass in a downwardly direction but providing a V-shaped. pocket or trap for preventing excessive rearward movement of thesheets. Each tray also has a detent or bead '66 extending across and atthe underside of its bottom, which detent is adjacent but is spacedslightly in a downward direction from the free edge of a tab '65 of atray beneath it whereby the rear edge 'of a rebounding sheet tending tofollow the underside of a tray engages the bead 66 and is guided ordeflected into the pocket provided by the tabs.

Each tray has an aperture 61 between the upper end and the retainingfingers or tabs tii wliieli apertures are aligned with respect to eachother, the light source, and the photoelectric cell 32, whereby movementof a sheet into a tray breaks the beam of light and effects release of arelay in the photoelectric cell unit, as will appear hereinafter. Byproviding the tabs for arresting undue rearward movement of the sheetsonce they have passed the aperturesfil, false operation of thephotoelectric cell circuit is avoided.

Tray gates As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, each tray has agate 25intermediateits upper end and the sheet conveying belts 59 "adaptedto'be selectively positioned to guide a'sh'eet into'a tray or'to preventthe entry of a sheet into the tray.

These gates comprise a strip lflformdwith recesses 1 I at the upper edgethereof for cooperating with the belts 50 (Figure 6), and trunnions l2and I4 for pivotally mounting the gate strips between the upright frame2 I.

In one position of operation, as seen in Figure 4, the upper portions ofthe gates are swung away from the belts 50 to block the entrances totheir trays, while the lower portions of the gates lightly touch thebelts to enable the sheets to pass therebetween with the right amount offriction. In another position of operation, the upper edges of the gatesare swung toward the belts 50 with the belts disposed in the recessesII, so that a sheet conveyed by the belts is guided therefrom by thegates into a tray. In the preferred manner of operating the apparatus,only one gate at a time is open while the other gates are closed, andthe gates are opened step-by-step, that is, successively to admit sheetsto their associated trays and are then respectively closed.

Gat operating means In order to accomplish the foregoing manner ofoperation, gate operating means, such as illustrated in Figures 6 to 10,are provided. Such means comprise a member 80 (Figure 9), rigidlyconnected to the outward end of each trunnion I4, having a pair ofextensions 8| and 82, and a pair of projections 84 and 85 on the chain29 adapted to engage the extensions 8! and 82, respectively, to efiectmovement of the gates from one position to another. As shown in Figure8, the chain 29 is constrained in a predetermined path by guide members83.

As illustrated herein, the projection 84 serves as a tripper forsuccessively engaging the extensions tI normally in the downwardmovement of the chain 29 and for rocking the members 39 into a gateopening position. Upon such movement, the extension 82 of the trippedmember 80 is moved into the path of the projection 85 which, uponsubsequent further movement of the chain in a downward direction, asviewed in Figures '7 and 9, serves to reset the tripped member andeifect reclosing of its gate. To provide for positive and quick movementof the gate from an open to a closed position and vice versa, aresilient element, such as a snap action spring 86, is anchored at oneend, as shown in Figure 10, with a pair of arcuate portions 81, 88 atits free end in respective abutting engagement with an edge portion ofits associated gate adjacent the trunnion M (Figure 6). Thus it isreadily apparent that in the open position the gate will be held by theportion 88 of this spring and by portion 31 in the closed position, thegate being snapped from one spring portion to the other.

Drive mechanism The drive mechanism 30 is illustrated in Figures 1 and11 and includes a motor 90 for effecting travel of the belts 50 byrotation of the pulley shaft 5 3 through a pulley 9| thereon driven by abelt 92 on a drive pulley 94 of the motor. In addition, the chain 29 isdriven step-by-step through an electromagnetic solenoid 95 having amovable, spring biased, core 96 pivotally connected to one end of a bellcrank 91, an intermediate portion of the latter being pivotallysupported upon a bracket 98 secured to the base 20. The other end of thebell crank is provided with a pawl 99 which is adapted to engage theteeth of a ratchet or gear wheel I00 about which the chain 29 is drivenstep-by-step. The chain 29 is also in mesh engagement with a sprocketwheel IOI freely rotatable upon a shaft I02 car- 6. ried upon asupporting element I04. It is thus readily seen that actuation of thesolenoid 95 through pawl 99 and ratchet wheel I00 imparts apredetermined movement to the chain 29 which is in mesh engagement withsprocket IIlI at the bottom and sprockets I03 (Figure 2) at the top ofthe mechanism.

Operation In operation, a stack of sheets to be distributed. is firstplaced on the feeding platform and the chain 29 is positioned with itsprojections 84 and adjacent the uppermost gate member 80 of theuppermost tray, that is, of the No. 1 compartment, so that the gate No.1 is tripped into the open position by the projection 84 uponenergization of the chain stepping solenoid 95, as will presentlyappear. The gates thereunder are in a closed position. The photoelectriccell unit is first energized by closing the power switch (not shown)therefor in order to permit the vacuum tube I96 (Figure 12) thereof towarm up, after which the drive motor for the belts 50, the paper feedmotor 35, and the lamp 34 are energized by closing the power switch I01,which is shown connected to a suitable source of alternating currentenergy.

At this point it may be mentioned briefly that the photoelectriccircuit, particularly shown in Figure 12, is of conventional type, theprimary "elements comprising the photoelectric tube or cell 32,amplifying vacuum tube Hit, and relay I98. The function thereof is suchthat, when the beam of light emitted by lamp 34 is impressed upon thecell 32, the relay I08 is energized. Upon operation of relay I98 anobvious circuit is closed for energization of the chain movingelectromagnet or solenoid 95, which, in operating, attracts its core andmoves the chain 29 one step, as described hereinbefore. However, whenthe beam of light is interrupted, as by a sheet of paper passing via theopening 61 into a tray, the relay I98 is deenergized and the solenoid 95released, the core 96 being retracted to its outward position by aspring (not shown) "to move the pawl 99 back one tooth on ratchet wheelI99. After the sheet passes the opening 97 and the light beam isreinstated, relay I08 and solenoid 95 reoperate to rotate the ratchetwheel :se and chain one step via movement of pawl 99. Thus followingeach interruption of the light beam the chain 29 is moved one step.

Accordingly, with the first gate in the open position and the paper feedmotor energized, a sheet is fed from the top of the stack by the one-wayrotating rollers 45 and delivered to a point between roller 55 and belts58 (Figure 3), where the belts pick up the sheet and convey it past theguide 55 and open gate 25 to the uppermost tray 24. the opening 6'!(Figs. 4 and 5) of the tray, the beam of light between lamp at on thebase and the photoelectric cell 32 at the top platform is interrupted,whereupon relay I98 releases and chain solenoid 95 permits its springbiased core 96 to be retracted in the manner already described. Afterthe end of the sheet has cleared the opening 51, the sheet now beingdeposited in compartment No. 1, the beam of light reactuates thephotoelectric cell 32 and the relay I08 and solenoid 95 arereenergizecl. Core 9t in being attracted actuates the bell crank 91 and,in turn, the ratchet wheel I09, which moves the chain 29 one step. Thechain projection 84 then effects opening of the tray gate to compartmentNo; 2',

As the sheet moves across while the chain projection 85 closes theuppermost gate. For the upper compartments all of this operation occursbefore the next sheet is fed from the stack and conveyed by the belts,whereby the second gate is positioned in ample time to guide the secondsheet into the second compartment. Each time a sheet breaks the lightbeam the next gate is opened and the previously opened gate is closed.Since the closed upper gates maintain the sheets against the belts, thesheets move downwardly in each instance until they reach an open gate.

The above operation continues until a sheet has been placed into thelowermost compartment. However, it will be readily understood that,where there is a substantial number of trays, the feeding of the sheetsmust be stopped a predetermined time in advance of the opening of thelowermost gate in order to avoid a surplusage of sheets on the conveyorbelts and also to provide for initiation of a new cycle.

In a one hundred compartment arrangement it is readily apparent that 101trays are required, since the upper tray acts as a cover for the firstcompartment to provide a surface with which the tabs 65 may cooperate.Also in a one hundred compartment arrangement the chain 29 must comprise300 links in order that as gate #100 is closed gate #1 is opened.

Thus to provide for the beginning of a new cycle at the proper time, ithas been found neces sary to stop the paper feeding mechanism instantlyat a predetermined moment, say when gate #98 is opened. Of course, thisdepends on the speed of the conveyor belts and it may be necessary tostop the paper feed motor at some other gate. This is accomplished by amicroswitch I09 (Figs. '7 and 12) mounted upon the upper platform, whichmicroswitch has an extending resilient finger IIO adapted to bedepressed by the resetting projection 85, as shown in dotted outline inFig. 7. The operation of the microswitch closes an operating circuit fora relay II2 (Fig. 12), which circuit may be traced from the lower poleof power switch Ill'l through normally closed recycling switch III, leadI I 3, contacts or operated microswitch I09, lead H4, and thence to theother pole of switch IilI, via the winding of the relay I I2. Relay II2, in operating, at its upper and lower back contacts H5 opens theoperating circuit of the paper feed motor 36 and at its upper and lowerfront contact I I6 closes an energizing circuit for a solenoid l H (seealso Fig. l), which actuates a brake mechanism II8 to instantly stoprotation of the paper feed motor 36. A locking circuit for relay H2 isalso rendered eifective to maintain the relay operated following passageof projection 85 beyond engagement with finger III); which circuit maybe traced from the lower pole of switch I91 via recycling switch II Iand lead H3, through lower front contact I I6, strap H9, and through therelay winding to the other pole of switch I01. The three sheets alreadybeing conveyed to compartments #98, #99, and #100 will be routed theretoin the hereinbefore described manner, thereby completing the cycle forthe first supply stack of sheets, one sheet having been delivered toeach of the 100 compartments. Upon completion of the cycle the recyclingswitch III is opened to deenergize the relay I I2 and the brake solenoidI H.

A second stack of sheets is moved into position on the platformimmediately upon deenergization of the paper feed motor, that is, afterthe last sheet has been picked up, or after a sheet is fed to thelowermost compartment, and recycling switch III is closed to initiatethe next series of sheet feeding operators. Gate #1 is then opened andthe distributing operation is carried out in the same manner ashereinbefore described. This operation is continued with succeedingsheets until the desired number of sheets have been distributed intosets.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the presentinvention provides an improved sheet distributor which is simple inconstruction and rapid and positive in operation. The sheets areaccurately distributed into sets and are readily fastened together.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangementof the parts herein, without departing from the spirit and. scope of theinvention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to beunderstood that all matters are to be interpreted as illustrative andnot in any limiting" sense.

What is claimed is:

In a sheet distributor, the combination of a plurality of inclined traysfor collecting sheets, a conveyor adjacent and movable past the upperends of said trays for delivering sheets seriatim thereto, a gate foreach of said trays between said conveyor and said trays, said gatesbeing pivotally mounted and adapted in one position to direct sheetsinto said trays and in another position to prevent the entry of sheetsinto said trays, tripping and resetting means on each of said gates,photo-electric means responsive to the entry of sheets into said trays,and means under the control of said photo-electric means for directingsheets into said trays successively, said last means including a chainfor actuating said tripping and resetting means step by step, wherebysaid gates are moved successively from said one position to the otherposition.

2. In a sheet distributor, the combination of a plurality of inclinedtrays for collecting sheets positioned one above another having anentrance at the upper ends thereof, a conveyor having a vertical strandadjacent said entrance of each of said trays, a gate for each of saidtrays between said conveyor and said tray entrances, said gates beingp-ivotally mounted about a horizontalaxis and adapted to be selectivelypositioned to direct sheets into said trays while in one position and toprevent the entry of sheets into said trays while in another position,photo-electric means responsive to the entry of sheets into said trays,means under the control of said photo-electric means for moving saidgates from said one position to the other position, said gate movingmeans including an endless chain having means thereon for positioningsaid gates, and intermittently operated drive means for effectingmovement of said chain.

3. In a sheet distributor, the combination of a plurality of inclinedtrays for collecting sheets positioned one above another having anentrance at the upper ends thereof, a conveyor having a vertical strandadjacent said entrance of each of said trays, a gate for each of saidtrays between said conveyor and said tray entrances, said gates beingpivotally mounted about a horizontal axis and adapted to be selectivelypositioned to direct sheets into said trays while in one position and toprevent the entry of sheets into said trays while in another position,photo-electric means responsive to the entry of sheets into said trays,

means under the control of said photo-electric means for moving saidgates from said one position to the other position, said gate movingmeans including an endless chain having means thereon for positioningsaid gates, intermittently operated drive means for effecting movementof said chain, and a resilient finger with a pair of arcuate portionsfor each of said gates for positively holding its associated gate in anopen or closed position.

4. In a sheet distributor, the combination of a plurality ofcompartments for collecting sheets, a plurality of belts movable pastsaid compartments for delivering sheets to said compartments, a gate foreach of said compartments for controlling the entry of sheets therein,each of said gates having a plurality of recesses for passagetherethrough of said belts, photo-electric means for controllingoperation of said gates rcsponsive to the entry of sheets into saidcompartments.

5. In a sheet distributor, the combination of a plurality of inclinedtrays positioned one above another for collecting sheets and having anentrance at the upper end thereof, a plurality of belts movable pastsaid trays and having spaced vertical strands adjacent said entrances, apivotally mounted horizontally extending gate for each of said traysbetween said belts and said entrances each having recesses for passagetherethrough of said belts, and means for moving said gates about theirpivot to control the entry of sheets into said trays.

6. In a sheet distributor, the combination of a plurality of trayspositioned one above another for collecting sheets having an entrance atone end thereof between adjacent trays, a conveyor adjacent saidentrances for delivering sheets to said trays, a gate for each trayextending across its entrance adjacent said conveyor and being pivotallymounted to be moved into and inclined position for directing sheets fromsaid conveyor into said trays and to be moved into a position to closesaid entrances to prevent sheets from entering said trays, each of saidgates having a projection at one end thereof, and means for controllingthe operation of said gates including an endless chain having meansthereon for engaging said gate projections to move said gates from oneposition to another.

'7. In a sheet distributor, an inclined tray for collecting sheetshaving an entrance at its upper end and a retaining member at its lowerend, and having means adjacent its upper end inclined to permit sheetsto pass thereover and be deposited in said tray and provided with aportion facing the lower end for deflecting rearwardly bounding sheetsdeposited in said tray away from said upper end, and a second inclinedtray above said first tray having a transverse bead disposed rearwardlyof said inclined means and extending into 10 a path traversed by saidsheets, whereby in conjunction with said inclined means said bead isadapted to direct said rebounding sheets against said porton.

8. In a sheet distributor, the combination of a plurality of traysarranged one above each other and having an entrance at one end thereof,conveyor means substantially perpendicular to said trays and adjacentsaid entrances for delivery of sheets to said trays, and a gate betweeneach entrance and said conveyor means for selectively closing saidentrances and for deflecting sheets delivered by said conveyor means andinto said entrances, one side or said gate being in frictionalengagement with said conveyor means while closing said entrances.

9. A sheet distributor according to claim 8, wherein said conveyor meanscomprise a plurality of spaced belts and said gates are in the form ofstrips having recesses at the other side thereof for passagetherethrough of said belts when positioned to deflect sheets into saidentrances.

10. A sheet distributor according to claim 8, wherein each gate has anextension at one end thereof, and a chain adjacent said entrances isprovided with a projection cooperating with said extensions forsuccessively moving said gates into position to close said entrances andis provided with a projection cooperating with said extensions formoving said gates into position to deflect sheets into said entrances.

11. A sheet distributor according to claim 8, wherein each gate has anextension at one end thereof, a guideway, and a chain in said guidewayadjacent said entrances is provided with a projection cooperating withsaid extensions for successively moving said gates into position toclose said entrances and is provided with a projection cooperating withsaid extensions for moving said gates into position to deflect sheetsinto said entrances.

DAVID C. MCGALLIARD.

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